Laura Bukavina, MD, MPH, MSc
Associate Staff
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Research
Our research investigates the microbiome's influence on therapeutic outcomes in bladder and kidney cancers. By analyzing the interactions between microbial communities and cancer treatments, we aim to uncover mechanisms by which the microbiome modulates treatment efficacy and patient response.
Biography
Dr. Bukavina is an assistant professor of Urologic Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urologic Institute, and translational science lead in GU oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. Dr. Bukavina completed her training at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in urologic oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. In addition to her surgical training, she holds a master's degree in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a master's degree in immunology and molecular genetics from Drexel. Her educational background reflects her commitment to both surgery and cancer research.
Dr. Bukavina is a recipient of multiple grants and awards for her dedication to bladder and kidney cancer research, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Data for Action Grant, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Young Investigator Award, American Urologic Association (AUA) Research Scholar Award, and the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU) Elizabeth Pickett Award. She has been recognized for her research evaluating the interplay between genetics, microbiome, and tumor microenvironment. Further, her recognition by the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) as one of the Top Women in Cancer Research underscores her standing as a pioneering figure among women cancer surgeon scientists.
She serves as an associate editor of European Urology and a member of the editorial board for Urology Times. She also serves on the International Bladder Cancer Network committee and as an expert for kidney cancer for the Society of Immunotherapy of Cancer, demonstrating her commitment to advancing research and innovation in bladder and kidney cancer.
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
2024
Education and Fellowships
Graduate School - Drexel University
Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Philadelphia, PA
2024
Fellowship - Fox Chase Cancer Center
Urologic Oncology
Philadelphia, PA
2023
Residency - Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center
Urology
Cleveland, OH United States
2021
Graduate School - Johns Hopkins University
Epidemiology
Baltimore, MD United States
2017
Residency - Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center
General Surgery
Cleveland, OH
2016
Medical Education - Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine
Rootstown, OH
2013
Undergraduate - Cleveland State University
Biology
Cleveland, OH
2007
Awards & Honors
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ASCO Foundation Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award Nominee
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American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Women in Cancer Research (WICR) Awardee
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Reviewer of the Year, European Urology
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Reviewer of the Year, European Urology Oncology
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American Urologic Association Annual Meeting 2022 Presentation of the Year Award
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American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Merit Award Recipient
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Urologic Oncology Seminars and Original Investigations Star Reviewer
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Society of Urologic Oncology/Women in Urologic Oncology (WUO) AUA Advocacy Summit Scholar
Memberships
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American Urologic Association (AUA)
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Society of Women in Urology (SWIU)
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Ukrainian Medical Association of North American (UMANA)
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Women in Urologic Oncology (WUO)
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Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO)
Research
Overview
- Investigating the Role of LGG in the Treatment of Bladder Cancer: We are exploring the effects of intravesical administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in the treatment of bladder cancer. This project aims to identify how LGG modulates the tumor microenvironment, enhances immune responses, and potentially synergizes with standard therapies to improve clinical outcomes.
- Evaluating FMT in Murine Models with Antibody-Drug Conjugates: We are investigating the role of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in enhancing the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in murine models of cancer. This study aims to understand the interaction between gut microbiota and ADCs, assessing how FMT can modulate immune responses and therapeutic efficacy.
- Metabolomics of Gemcitabine-Metabolizing Bacteria in Intravesical Chemotherapy: This project focuses on the metabolomics of bacteria that metabolize gemcitabine during intravesical chemotherapy for bladder cancer. By characterizing the metabolic pathways involved, we aim to uncover bacterial influences on drug efficacy and resistance, potentially leading to more effective therapeutic strategies.
Our Team
Selected Publications
Bukavina L, Ginwala R, Eltoukhi M, Sindhani M, Prunty M, Geynisman DM, Ghatalia P, Valentine H, Calaway A, Correa AF, Brown JR, Mishra K, Plimack ER, Kutikov A, Ghannoum M, Elshaer M, Retuerto M, Ponsky L, Uzzo RG, Abbosh PH. Role of Gut Microbiome in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Urothelial Carcinoma: A Multi-institutional Prospective Cohort Evaluation. Cancer Res Commun. 2024 Jun 17;4(6):1505-1516. doi: 10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-23-0479. PMID: 38747616; PMCID: PMC11181990.
Mishra, Kirtishri, Laura Bukavina, and Mahmoud Ghannoum. "Symbiosis and dysbiosis of the human mycobiome." Frontiers in microbiology 12 (2021): 636131.
Safder I, Valentine H, Uzzo N, Sfakianos J, Uzzo R, Gupta S, Brown J, Ranti D, Plimack E, Haber G, Weight C, Kutikov A, Abbosh P, Bukavina L. Identification and Validation of Prognostic Model for Tumor Microenvironment-Associated Genes in Bladder Cancer Based on Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Data Sets. JCO Precis Oncol. 2024 Aug;8:e2300661. doi: 10.1200/PO.23.00661. PMID: 39151107.
Bukavina, Laura, et al. "Global meta-analysis of urine microbiome: colonization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon–degrading bacteria among bladder cancer patients." European Urology Oncology 6.2 (2023): 190-203.
Bukavina L, Prunty M, Isali I, Calaway A, Ginwala R, Sindhani M, Ghannoum M, Mishra K, Kutikov A, Uzzo RG, Ponsky LE, Abbosh PH. Human Gut Mycobiome and Fungal Community Interaction: The Unknown Musketeer in the Chemotherapy Response Status in Bladder Cancer. Eur Urol Open Sci. 2022 Jul 12;43:5-13. doi: 10.1016/j.euros.2022.06.005. PMID: 36353067; PMCID: PMC9638757.
Mishra K, Isali I, Sindhani M, Prunty M, Bell S, Mahran A, Damiani G, Ghannoum M, Retuerto M, Kutikov A, Ross J, Woo LL, Abbosh PH, Bukavina L. Characterization of Changes in Penile Microbiome Following Pediatric Circumcision. Eur Urol Focus. 2023 Jul;9(4):669-680. doi: 10.1016/j.euf.2022.12.007. Epub 2022 Dec 22. PMID: 36566099.
Careers
The Bukavina Lab is always looking for undergraduate and graduate students, technicians, and postdoctoral fellows.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the lab, please contact Dr. Laura Bukavina ([email protected]).